Technological innovation in the Agricultural sector has emerged as a powerful tool in increasing overall productivity. Ranching operations are being faced with new opportunities to enhance their productivity and operational growth via technological advancements.
Most ranchers live in vast, rural areas and may not be able to find every member of their herd at any given moment. They also may not be aware of the exact number of animals they have, their birth dates, age, or weight, etc. This information is essential to have on record as it allows ranchers to track their herd’s progress.
The 701x Cattle Management System encompasses a software application and electronic ear tag to provide cattle producers with useful information regarding animal inventory, reports, GPS positioning data, wellness information, and more.
We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the 701x Tag, an electronic ear tag for cattle that allows ranchers to better understand where their cattle are, where they have been, and what they are doing.
OUR STORY
701x first started when our President and CEO, Kevin Biffert, had recently sold his previous manufacturing business and received several complaints from his siblings regarding their lost cattle. They were experiencing ongoing issues with their cattle getting out of the fence, which led to them wandering off their property and breeding their neighbors' cows – not their own. They also had several occurrences of cattle theft, leaving them at a large financial loss as their animals had not been found or returned.
Biffert grew up on a family farm and ranch in Western North Dakota, so he understood the frustration that his siblings were experiencing and had a feeling that they weren’t the only ones facing this issue.
Some may think, “It’s just a cow, you can buy a new one”, but cattle can cost a pretty penny and most producers care very deeply for their livestock. Depending on the breed, bull prices can range from $3,000 to over $20,000 per head, and heifers/cows can range from $1,500 to over $5,000. If you lose just one animal, you’re at a significant loss.
The ongoing conversations between Biffert and his siblings lead to the big question: “How can we track our cattle?” This sparked the idea of creating a platform with a smart ear tag and software application that could record, track, and store individual and herd-level data.
Building smart ear tags was feasible for Biffert as he has extensive knowledge as a mechanical engineer, as well as a background in the manufacturing industry.
He was dedicated to developing a cattle management system that would still allow ranchers to simply identify and record their herd data but wanted to implement additional features to track the location of an animal, monitor animal activity, and more.
After getting a few more talented individuals on board, the development process of the 701x Software and 701x Tag began. With a dedicated team of ranchers, innovators, engineers, creators, and programmers – we knew that we could simplify ranchers’ lives and make a difference in the industry.
